Stats show Waratahs not nearly as effective without star fullback Israel Folau in their side

WARATAHS assistant coach Daryl Gibson has conceded the obvious problem that’s arisen for NSW in recent weeks: life’s not Izzy without Folau.

The Waratahs have missed star attacking weapon Israel Folau. Picture: Mark Evans

WARATAHS assistant coach Daryl Gibson has conceded the obvious problem that’s arisen for NSW in recent weeks: life’s not Izzy without Folau.

In their opening four rounds, the Tahs scored an average of 32.5 points per game with star fullback Israel Folau in red-hot form.

Folau raced out to a competition-high eight tries; a vast lead he’s managed to hold on to despite missing the last three games with a throat injury.

The Waratahs weren’t able to maintain the attacking rage with Folau missing, however, and up against two South African opponents and an Africanised Force, their points output halved.

In the last three weeks, the Tahs have plummeted from an average of 32.5 points and four tries per match to just one try and 16 points a game.

Gibson said while the Waratahs have been able to continue creating try-scoring opportunities, the absence of Folau was felt in their failure to actually cross the white stripe.

“We are fortunate we have very good depth but without Israel we are probably not as threatening, certainly not in a sense of creating but in finishing, and that’s been evident by the fact we haven’t scored many tries in the last few weeks,” Gibson said.

While the defensive style of the Sharks, Stormers and Force contributed to the points drying up, the side missed the uncanny knack of Folau looming in support in Perth after he was controversially ruled out of the clash by the ARU due to risks of re-injuring his throat.

Waratahs flanker Michael Hooper makes a break against the Force. Picture: Getty Images

Strong WA defence in Perth stifled the side and caused frustrations, but Gibson said five linebreaks still should have been enough to translate into a few tries.

“We are certainly creating a lot of opportunities, and against the Force we created plenty. We have talked a lot this week around our linebreak conversion, making sure the opportunities we do create that we are finishing,” Gibson said.

“With Israel back in the line-up, given five opportunities we will probably two or three of those.

“In that game we had plenty of possession and certainly the stats were heavily weighted towards us, and the frustration came out of good defence by the Force, which kept us out.

“We didn’t finish, and we can’t have too many of those games where we don’t convert those.”

Centre Adam Ashley-Cooper joked that Folau had emerged from his “grumpy” mood after last week’s drama, and was a welcome addition to the side.

“He’s a pretty important player, he does score a lot of tries and create a lot. Having him back is a real bonus. We have to learn how to play without Izzy but we’re happy to have him this week,” Ashley-Cooper said.

Beale, who trained lightly this week due to a calf niggle, has also been ruled fit to play.

The experience of playing three South African-style teams on their recent tour has the Waratahs well-equipped to combat the Bulls, themselves desperate to pick up the points after just three wins from eight games this year.

“You always adjust your strategy slightly in regards who you are playing, and the South Africans are a lot different to a strategy against the Kiwis,” Ashley-Cooper said.

“Luckily for us we are off the back of a few South African games and we have the right preparation place for a South African game on Saturday night.

“We have come off the back of a disappointing loss so the boys are pretty keen to be playing.”